Plectrum with two playing points



Sept. 13, 1949. R. H. LAWRENCE 2,481,759

' PLECTRUM WITH TWO PLAYING POINTS Filed June 9, 1948 INVENTOR. fir/vamp fif/ZMKEJCE BY I Patented Sept. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,481,759. rLEo'rRUM WITH TWO PLAYING POINTS- I taymondfi. Lawrence, South Akron, Qhio Application runes; 1948; Serial No. 31,932

This, invention relates to animproved plectrumor pick for playing a stringed musical instrument, such as a banjo, guitar, mandolin, etc. The piece trum has two playing points of different thickness. It is preferably made entirely of plastic.

One of the playing points of the plectrum of this invention is relatively thin so that it gives a sharp or hard tone, and the other is thick and gives a mellow or soft tone. The two playing points are arranged close to one another so that either one may be used separately or both may be used together. If both points are used together the plectrum may be held in different positions to give emphasis to one or the other of the playing points.

The plectrum is preferably made entirely of plastic and of the same composition throughout. However, the plectrum may be formed of two different materials which are cemented or otherwise attached to one another. For example, a Celluloid plectrum of the ordinary design with a single, relatively thin playing point, may have attached to it a piece of felt or leather or rubber or the like which is thicker and serves as the thicker playing point of this invention. A portion of the felt, etc., will extend outwardly over the edge of the Celluloid plectrum near the playing point so that the person using the plectrum may use only the Celluloid point to obtain a sharp, hard tone or only the point of felt, etc., to obtain a mellow or soft tone, or may use the two points simultaneously to obtain a desired overtone; and by varying the position of the plectrum while utilizing the two points, one may obtain different overtones depending upon whether the two points are brought into equal play or preference is given to one or the other.

The drawings illustrate different plectrum constructions and show five different positions for holding the plectrum, when using it to play on a musical instrument.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1a is a plan view of a plastic plectrum;

Fig. 1b is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing that the plectrum is thicker at one of the playing points than at the other;

Fig. 2a is a plan view of a plectrum of different construction;

Fig. 2b is a side view of the same;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7 show how the plectrum of Fig. 1 may be held to obtain diiferent tones.

The plectrum of Figs. 1a and 1b is formed of plastic and provided with the thin playing point 2 and the thick playing point 3. The portion 4 of the pick which is held between the fingers may be corrugated or perforated to improve the grip.

2 Claims. (01. s4 322) The plectrum of Figs. 2a and 2b is composedof an ordinary Celluloid pick 8 and. a hard felt pad 1 which is grooved to fit-over one edge. of the pick. The felt is cemented in place. playing point 8 and the outer edge 9 of the felt constitute the thinner and thicker playing points. They are arranged close together so that they may be used simultaneously as well as singly to produce different tone effects.

Figs. 3 to '7 show how the plastic plectrum of Figs. 1a and 1b may be held to produce different tones. In Fig. 3 the thicker playing point 3 is the only one which contacts the string [0. This gives a mellow or soft tone. In Fig. 4 the thin playing point 2 is the only one which contacts the string. This gives a sharp or hard tone. Fig. 5 shows both points of the plectrum brought into substantially equal contact with the string. In Fig. 6 a larger part of the point 2 and only a smaller part of the point 3 contact the string I0. Conversely, in Fig. 7 greater emphasis is given to the point 3.

The angle of the plane of the plectrum with respect to the string or strings is ordinarily the usual angle, i. e. several degrees from parallel, so that if both points are brought into contact with the string they do not both touch the pick at the same time but one point touches the string before the other. Thus, two tones are produced but they are produced in such rapid succession that they sound like a single tone. The thicker point brings out the bass tones and produces an overtone which is not obtained with plectrums provided with a single playing point.

A variety of materials are used for making the plectrums now on the market. For example, there are felt plectrums which produce a soft, mellow tone. The plastic plectrums used to form sharp, hard tones are ordinarily stamped out of Celluloid sheet material. The preferred plectrum of this invention is a plastic plectrum and in order to produce points of different thickness it is preferably molded or cast. Celluloid might be used but ordinarily the danger of handling Celluloid at elevated temperatures will dictate the use of a plastic of different composition. Plectrums made of polyethylene, cellulose acetate, and cellulose butyrate give a good tone. The plastic employed should withstand abrasion and constant flexing at the elevated temperatures to which the plectrums become heated in use. Modifiers may be added to a plastic to improve its properties for the use in question. In casting a plectrum or forming it by injection molding or the like, the plastic is preferably introduced into the mold, etc., so that its general direction of flow is either toward The Celluloid or away from the playing points so as to produce a grain in this direction. A plectrum with such a grain will withstand normal flexing far better than a plectrum having a grain which runs across it.

Thus, the plectrum of this invention may be of any general contour except that at least two playing points are provided and these are arranged so that both may be brought into play at the same time. Three or more playing points might be provided, but in general all the tones desired may be obtained with a pick of two points. The points are of different relative thickness, one point being so thin as to produce a sharp or hard tone, and the other being sufl'iciently thick to produce a. mellower or softer tone. The plectrum is preferably of plastic but may be made of different materials.

What I claim is:

1. A flat, one-piece plectrum for playing a stringed musical instrument, which, is formed with two playing points, one of which is relatively thin and the other of which is relatively thick, so that in use diiferent tones are obtained,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 768,241 Seidel Aug. 23, 1904 1,573,912 Burdwise Feb. 23, 1926 2,449,890

. Garlick Sept. 21, 1948' Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,481,759 September 13, 1949 RAYMOND H. LAWRENCE It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 2, line 2, for pick 8 read pick 6; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiiee.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of January, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Gammissz'oner of Patents. 

